LAB 2 WRITE-UP

Thermal Cycler Engineering

Our re-design is based upon the Open PCR system originally designed by Josh Perfetto and Tito Jankowski.

System Design

Key Features

Instructions

Protocols

Materials

Supplied in the Kit

Amount

Open PCR

1

Primers

USB Cable

1

Standardized Mat with Measurements

1

Fluorimeter

1

Phone Holder

1

Light Box

1

Hydrophobic Glass slides

3

Positive Control DNA

5 mL

SYBR Gene Dye

5 mL

Supplied by User

Amount

Micropipettes

1

Micropipette tips

200

Lab Coats

2

Template DNA

3.2 μL

Smart Phone(with camera)

1

PCR Protocol

DNA Measurement Protocol

Research and Development

Background on Disease Markers

The two diseases we decided to analyze are Alzheimer's and Anencephaly. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that affects the brain by gradually deteriorating an individual's brain function, leading to memory loss and impairing cognitive skills. The gene responsible for Alzheimer's is labeled PSEN1 and a mutation in this gene can cause toxic protein to build up in the brain leading to symptoms described above. The reference number for this gene is rs63751320. [1]